Adios Summer...

This photo was taken on Sunday, which would have been the last official day of summer. Can you believe it? It saddens me to have to say goodbye to this delicious summertime light. Here's hoping that autumn light is just as yummy...

I like this age a whole lot...

When they're old enough to be plopped down in random locations but not quite fast enough to get up and run away. And they're still attracted to funny noises behind the camera. Apparently, they grow out of that...

Meet Tucher...

Look who I got to hang out with on Sunday... Tucher. He's only 8 weeks old and is already pretty much the cutest little ball of fur you'll ever meet. And totally worth getting up every hour on the hour to go outside, right Judy?

A Very Special Monster Monday...

Today is a very special Monster Monday... One where Chloe would like to wish her Grammy a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I love you, Mom... and I hope you have a great birthday. Can't wait for the Phils game tonight! Woot!

Chasing Hot Air Balloons...

When I was young, I remember being mesmerized by hot air balloons. I suppose that most kids are. We would try to follow them, to figure out where they'd land. I always wanted to ride in one. Now that I'm older, I'd probably be scared to ride in one. Funny how things work out. I saw this one when I was out on my deck so I tried to zoom in on it... I didn't chase it, this time.

Happy Birthday, love!

Dearest Kevin,

I hope you have a fabulous birthday, despite the fact that we're working when we should be celebrating. Granted, this year we're not in an amazing location like in years past... last year we spent in San Francisco, the year before in Italy... but I think we can both appreciate the fact that we get to celebrate another year together. And that rocks.

Thank you for being the most amazing husband I could ask for. For the countless dinners cooked, dishes washed, loads of laundry done, and housecleanings. For always making me smile. For the surprise cards and flowers for no reason. For always finding my car keys, and any other things I may have misplaced. For doing the grocery shopping. For the backrubs, even when your own hands hurt. For working so hard that you're exhausted by 7pm. For humoring me and my camera, even though you don't like your photo taken much less posted on the internet. For understanding that my messyness inherent. For motivating me to get off my behind. For always supporting my decisions. For mushroom omlettes. For taking Chloe out on Saturday mornings so I can stay in my jammies just a little bit longer. For the many, many things that I haven't mentioned. For being the strength that has carried me through what has arguably been the most challenging year of my life. For everything that you are.

You deserve the most wonderful birthday ever.

I love you, boa. Happy 31st.

Meat coma...

Last night we went out for Kev's birthday dinner. His actual birthday is tomorrow. But last night we celebrated. We went to Fogo de Chao in Philadelphia. It's a Brazilian steakhouse where Gauchos come to your table with different cuts of meat on skewers that are carved at your table. You can try, or not try, anything. Each person has a two-sided card, red and green, so when you're ready for more you turn to the green side and when you've had enough, you turn to the red. When I first heard of it I knew it'd be perfect for Kev.

We started out with the insanely large salad bar and lots of veggies. And then we turned our cards to green. The Gauchos swarmed in on us. They were like seagulls at the shore and within minutes our plates were filled to the brim with filet mignon, picanha (garlic sirloin), alcatra (top sirloin), fraldinha (bottom sirloin), costela (beef ribs), cordeiro (leg of lamb), costela de porco (pork ribs), pork sausages, chicken drumsticks, and chicken and filet wrapped in bacon. I was stunned. Where do you even start? Along with the massive plate of meat, they bring each table a basket of warm cheese bread, fried bananas, polenta, and seasoned mashed potatoes. It was fun to get to try different things, and then go for more of your favorites. It was a fun experience, something different, and Kev enjoyed his birthday dinner. I don't think I've ever been so full...

Festivities...

Happy 3rd Birthday Chloemonster! Despite what you'd think by her expression, Chloe's birthday was FUN! Presents, birthday hats, balloons, and doggy birthday cake. Yes, I said cake. I baked my very first cake EVER for Chloe's birthday on Sunday. It was made from a recipe that I found online specifically for dogs. Perfect. She loved it.

I took some photos throughout the day. As a disclaimer, they have little to no photographic merit. They were merely to document the good time that we had celebrating our girl's day...

Everyone's favorite part of baking... Licking the beaters!

And the final product:

Looks yummy, no? I tried it. Not so much. Chloe seemed to enjoy her piece but I wouldn't recommend it for human consumption. Here's the recipe if you'd like to bake for your own pup:

Peanut Butter Carrot Cake

1 cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/3 cup honey, 1 egg.

Mix all ingredients and then bake at 350 for 30 minutes in a greased 8in round cake pan. I actually doubled the recipe and used a 9in pan and it made a big honkin cake.

Frosting was made by blending cottage cheese and adding a small amount of peanut butter.

Here's a photo of her birthday loot... Lucky girl...

It's hard work being the birthday girl...

Birthday Girl...

Doesn't she look thrilled? Ha. My baby girl is 3 today. Happy Birthdy Chloemonster! I can hardly believe it. She is still so much a puppy. I have a feeling she always will be. We love her to pieces and couldn't imagine our family without her. She had a lovely birthday today, without a doubt. More photos to come of all the festivities...

Holiday weekend...

The long weekend completely threw me off and I was just about to write my Monster Monday post. But today is Tuesday. Doh.

Thank goodness for long weekends. We caught up on some much needed rest and spent some time outdoors enjoying the weather. Yesterday morning was bright and sunny so we decided to hit up the Perkiomen trail with the Chloe girl. Seems that half our town had the same idea. It was PACKED. Bikers galore. Chloe gets a little sketched out when the bikers fly by her. And there was some drama when she got bit in the leg by a bee. {do bees really bite?} All in all, it was a good excursion...